Initiatives Online

Meet the Leader of St. Joseph Regional Health Network, Reading, Pa.

As leader of St. Joseph Regional Health Network, John Morahan values Catholic Health Initiatives’ support for healthy communities, which was key to St. Joseph’s new effort to combat domestic violence. The program began after the shooting death of an employee, Teddy Bell, by a former boyfriend. "That same week, relatives of another employee were killed when their car was pushed onto railroad tracks by an angry boyfriend in the car behind them," said Morahan. "Our nurse leaders and mission and ministry office created Nurses for Non-violence with moral and financial support from the Mission and Ministry Fund."

St. Joseph Regional Health Network, which includes St. Joseph Medical Center, an assisted living facility, a durable medical equipment company, a foundation and a home health service, also reaches out to the community through initiativessuch as health services for migrant workers and a free dental clinic. "We have the fun of actualizing Catholic Health Initiatives’ mission," said Morahan. "We see the positive impact of these programs on the lives we touch."

After earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Morahan started his health care career as a cardiac research technician but soon moved into administration. Prior to joining Catholic Health Initiatives as president of St. Joseph Medical Center in September 1999, he served as executive vice president of Sisters/St. Joseph Hospitals in Buffalo, N.Y. and executive vice president of St. Joseph Hospital, Cheektowaga, N.Y. He holds two master’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania State University.

Having worked in a variety of health care environments, Morahan prefers a faith-based culture. "I’m firmly committed to Catholic health care," he said. "It unites what I want to do professionally with my personal beliefs and values." Since Morahan joined St. Joseph, he has worked with employees on an Operation Improvement Plan that has positioned the organization for challenges and opportunities in the near and long term.

Morahan and his wife, Anne, and daughter Katelyn, 13, enjoy living in eastern Pennsylvania, where Anne was raised. "There’s a genuineness about this agricultural area and the people here," Morahan said. "I think that’s reflected in the great teamwork of our employees."